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 Collision energy-absorbing deviceRelated Patent Categories: Vehicle Fenders, Buffer Or Bumper Type, Bumper Having Impact Force Absorbing Means Directly Interposed Between Bumper And Vehicle Structure, One-shot TypeThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050253403. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a collision energy-absorbing device for mounting between a frame of a motor vehicle and a bumper beam at one end of the motor vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In conventional vehicle frame assemblies, bumper beams are fixedly mounted to frame rails at the front and rear ends of the vehicle. During a front or rear end collision in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the collision forces are received by the bumper beam and transmitted to the frame assembly via the connection between the bumper beam and the frame rails. In situations involving relatively high collision forces, transferring the collision energy directly to the vehicle frame assembly without some type of cushioning or dissipation can deform the frame rails or otherwise damage the frame assembly. Repairing damaged vehicle frame assemblies after a collision can be quite expensive. [0003] To solve this problem, it has been known to intentionally weaken end portions of the frame rails so that the weakened end portions collapse during collision and dissipate some or all of the collision energy, thereby reducing the amount of collision energy transmitted to the remainder of the frame and the passenger compartment. These weakened end portions are referred to as "crush zones." Providing these crush zones in the vehicle frame assembly adds significant complexity and increases the overall cost of manufacturing the vehicle frame assembly. Another problem with these crush zones is that they often tend to buckle and fold outwardly rather than collapsing only in the direction of the impact force (i.e. the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). This requires that there be sufficient room to accommodate such outward folding and ensure the proper energy dissipation. [0004] As an alternative, it has been known to provide tubular crush zones that collapse in an accordion-like manner. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in PCT Application WO 98/39106. The problem with this type of arrangement is that it is difficult to achieve satisfactory energy dissipation using only a pair of these accordion-type crush zones. Specifically, the amount of deformation allowed in these accordion-type crush zones is limited by its width. That is, once the accordion folds contact the opposing wall, there will be no further deformation of the crush zone and the remaining collision forces will be transmitted to the frame assembly undissipated. [0005] Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a more effective alternative for providing crush zones to dissipate the collision energy during a front or rear end collision and thereby reduce the amount of energy being transferred to the vehicle frame assembly. [0006] Further, in a frontal offset collision, impact occurs at one end of the bumper beam. During impact, the opposite end of the bumper beam pivots and tends to pivot the vehicle due to the rigid connection with the vehicle frame assembly. Specifically, as the end of the bumper beam which has been impacted is forced in towards the frame assembly, the opposite end swings in a direction away from the frame assembly. This tends to pull on that side of the frame assembly and pivot the vehicle in a yaw-type movement. Consequently, it would be desirable to prevent this pivoting movement of the vehicle during a frontal offset collision. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a collision energy-absorbing device (CEAD) for mounting between a frame assembly of a motor vehicle and a bumper beam at one end of the motor vehicle. The collision energy-absorbing device includes a substantially tubular body member configured to be operatively connected between the vehicle frame assembly and the bumper beam. The body member is constructed and arranged to collapse as the bumper beam and the vehicle frame assembly are moved relatively toward one another during a vehicle collision, such as a head-on collision or an offset crash. The body member has a substantially tubular first telescoping portion and a substantially tubular second telescoping portion connected by a connecting portion. The first and second telescoping portions have different cross-sectional dimensions configured to enable the first and second telescoping portions to move one within the other into collapsing telescoping relation as the body member collapses with the connecting portion being deformed and received between the first and second telescoping portions. The body member further includes one or more protrusions extending from one of the first and second telescoping portions. The protrusions are configured to interfere with relative movement of the other of the first and second telescoping portions as the body member collapses to thereby retard movement of the first and second telescoping portions one within the other into the telescoping relation. [0008] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the combination including a motor vehicle having a frame assembly and a collision energy-absorbing system. The energy-absorbing system includes a collision energy-absorbing device and a bumper beam. The energy-absorbing device includes a substantially tubular body member configured to be operatively connected between the vehicle frame assembly and the bumper beam. The body member is constructed and arranged to collapse as the bumper beam and the vehicle frame assembly are moved relatively toward one another during a vehicle collision. The body member of the energy-absorbing device has a substantially tubular first telescoping portion and a substantially tubular second telescoping portion connected by a connecting portion. The first and second telescoping portions have different cross-sectional dimensions configured to enable the first and second telescoping portions to move one within the other into collapsing telescoping relation as the body member collapses with the connecting portion being deformed and received between the first and second telescoping portions. The body member further includes one or more protrusions extending from one of the first and second telescoping portions. The protrusions are configured to interfere with relative movement of the other of the first and second telescoping portions as the body member collapses to thereby retard movement of the first and second telescoping portions one within the other into the telescoping relation. [0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collision energy-absorbing device for mounting between a frame assembly of a motor vehicle and a bumper beam at one end of the motor vehicle. The energy-absorbing device includes a substantially tubular body member configured to be operatively connected between the vehicle frame assembly and the bumper beam. The body member is constructed and arranged to collapse as the bumper beam and the vehicle frame assembly are moved relatively toward one another during a vehicle collision. The body member has a substantially tubular first telescoping portion and a substantially tubular second telescoping portion connected by a connecting portion. The first and second telescoping portions have different cross-sectional dimensions configured to enable the first and second telescoping portions to move one within the other into collapsing telescoping relation as the body member collapses with the connecting portion being deformed and received between the first and second telescoping portions. The body member further includes one or more perforations formed through the connecting portion to thereby weaken the connecting portion. [0010] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the combination including: a motor vehicle having a frame assembly, a pair of lost motion connecting structures each having a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion movably mounted to one another, the second mounting portions being connected to spaced lateral portions of the vehicle frame assembly; and a bumper beam operatively connected to the first mounting portions of the lost motion connecting structures. The lost motion connecting structures are constructed and arranged such that during an offset collision proximate one of the lost motion connecting structures the first mounting portion of the other lost motion connecting structure moves relative to the second mounting portion to permit the portion of the bumper associated therewith to move relatively away from the frame assembly. [0011] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of lost motion connecting structures for mounting between spaced lateral portions of a frame assembly of a motor vehicle and a bumper beam at one end of the motor vehicle. Each lost motion connecting structure includes a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion movably mounted to one another. The first mounting portions are operatively connected to the bumper beam and the second mounting portions are operatively connected to the spaced lateral portions of the vehicle frame assembly. The lost motion connecting structures are constructed and arranged such that during an offset collision proximate one of the lost motion connecting structures the first mounting portion of the other lost motion connecting structure moves relative to the second mounting portion to permit the portion of the bumper associated therewith to move relatively away from the frame assembly. [0012] Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings: [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a collision energy-absorbing device constructed according to the principles of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a collision energy-absorbing device constructed according to the principles of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the absorbing device of FIG. 1 mounted between a frame of a motor vehicle and a bumper beam at one end of the motor vehicle; [0017] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the absorbing device of FIG. 1 mounted between a frame of a motor vehicle and a bumper at one end of the motor vehicle; [0018] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of the absorbing device shown in FIG. 1 in its normal, uncollapsed condition; [0019] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of the absorbing device shown in FIG. 1 as an initial collision force is applied thereto; [0020] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view of the absorbing device shown in FIG. 1 at the onset of telescoping; Continue reading... Full patent description for Collision energy-absorbing device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Collision energy-absorbing device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Collision energy-absorbing device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Security device for a door Next Patent Application: Lockable tongs Industry Class: Vehicle fenders ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Collision energy-absorbing device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.42818 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
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